Biography
Robert D. (Bob) Ridge, PhD, is an experimental social psychologist in the Department of Psychology at Brigham Young University. He received his BS in psychology from BYU and his PhD from the University of Minnesota. His current research investigates the effects of violent media on human thought, feeling and behavior. He also investigates personal and situational factors associated with the perception and perpetration of sexual harassment and the effects of expectations on interpersonal interactions. In his spare time, he conducts jury research for law firms. He has expertise in experimental, quasi-experimental and correlational research methods, as well as in quantitative analytic strategies. He is currently the chair of the university Institutional Review Board.
Research Interests
My students and I study the effects of violent media on people's thoughts, feelings, and behavior. We are currently conducting research investigating public perception of violent media as a risk factor for aggression and how exposure to violent media affects people's ability to experience awe and spirituality. We are also investigating how differences in political ideology affect people's aggressive tendencies.Teaching Interests
Social PsychologyApplied Social Psychology
Research Methods
Ethics
Education
- PhD, Psychology , Statistics and Methodology, University of Minnesota (1993)
- BS, Psychology , Brigham Young University (1987)
Honors and Awards
- Phi Kappa Phi, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (1987 - Present)
- Martin B. Hickman Excellence in Citizenship Award, College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences (2023 - 2023)
- Martin B. Hickman FHSS Innovation in Teaching Award, BYU College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences (2015 - 2015)
- Award for Excellence in Teaching, Psi Chi (2001 - 2002)
- Enabling Fellow, National Science Foundation (1996 - 1997)
Memberships
- Society for the Teaching of Psychology (2018 - Present)
- Association for Psychological Science (1993 - Present)
- Society for Personality and Social Psychology (1993 - Present)